Real Estate Licensing in Quincy city, Florida

Who Needs a License

In Florida, a real estate license is required to engage in real estate brokerage or sales activities. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, a "broker" is defined as any person who, for another and for a fee, commission, or other valuable consideration, sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases real property or a business opportunity, or who offers or attempts to do so, or who holds themselves out as engaged in such activity. A "sales associate" is defined as a licensed person who performs real estate services on behalf of a broker.

Any individual representing buyers, sellers, landlords, or tenants in real estate transactions must hold an active Florida real estate license. This includes residential property sales, commercial transactions, and rental property management activities where compensation is involved.

How to Get Licensed

Florida real estate licensing is administered by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Real Estate—not by a local town board.

Steps to obtain a license:

1. Pre-licensing education: Complete a 63-hour approved prelicense course from a DBPR-approved provider.
2. Exam: Pass the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) licensing exam with a minimum score of 75%.
3. Broker sponsorship: Before you can be licensed, you must have a sponsoring broker who will employ you. The broker applies for your license on your behalf.
4. Application: Your broker submits your application to DBPR with proof of education, exam passage, and fingerprints for background check.
5. Activation: Once approved, your license becomes active under your broker's sponsorship.

License renewal occurs every two years and requires 14 hours of continuing education.

Local Requirements

Quincy is located in Gadsden County, Florida. Real estate transaction licensing and regulation is a state matter under Florida Statute § 489.105 and is not regulated by local municipal code.

However, real estate offices operating in Quincy must comply with local zoning and building codes. Refer to the Quincy Municipal Code for any local business registration or occupancy requirements for your specific office location. Contact the Quincy Building Department for zoning compliance before establishing a local office.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.105 exempts certain activities from licensing requirements:

• Attorneys engaged in real estate services as part of their legal practice
• Property owners selling or leasing their own property
• On-site property managers employed by the property owner (limited scope)
• Persons acting under a power of attorney for the property owner

State Licensing Board Contact

Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- Phone: 850-487-1395
- Website: https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/real-estate-commission/

References

• Fla. Stat. § 489.105 — Definitions
• Quincy Municipal Code

The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)